Mechanism for subdividing sliced baked bread loaves



July 1, 1941. w, A THUM 2,247,674

MECHANISM FOR SUBDIV IDING SLICED BAKED BREAD LOAVES v Filed Jun 21, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 llllllllll llllllllllllllllllllllll I N VEA/TOE Wd/fcr H, T wm,

Patented July 1, 1941 MECHANISM FOR SUBDIVIDXNG SLICED BAKED BEE Walter A. Thum,

AD LOAVES St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Papendick, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application June 21, 1939, Serial No. 280,396

(01. Did-153) 15 Claims.

This invention relates generally to sliced baked bread loaf handling mechanism. More particularly, this invention relates to a certain new and useful improvement in mechanism for subdividing sliced baked bread loaves into fractions and has for its chief object the provision of a mechanism uniquely constructed and automatically operable for fractionating the successive sliced loaves speedily, smoothly, and without injury.

And with the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (two sheets)- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a baked bread loaf fractionating mechanism constructed in accordance with and embodying my present invention;

Figure 2 is a side mechanism;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the mechanism, taken approximately along the line 33, Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the mechanism, taken approximately along the line 4-4, Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a slightly modielevational view of the fied form of loaf fractionating mechanism also constructed in accordance with and embodying my present invention.

Referring now in more detail and by refermachine preferably, though not necessarily,

the vertically reciprocating knife type.

Disposed at the discharge end of the machine A, is a first or discharge conveyor means B, which a horizontally disposed conveyor table 2, a series of conventional chain-driven or carried flightbars 3, and a pair of opposed parallel side guides 4 also of substantially conventional design for and described in a co-pending application Serial No. 280,397, filed June 21, 1939, by Gustav C. Papendick and Walter A.

with the rearward end of a table ably spaced flight-bars c chain-connected for guides 6 and I, all as best seen in for purposes presently fully appearing.

. means 0, are flanges I the machine and provided with opposed ways I 4 g or otherwise secured (frames I and disposed movement over the table 0, a pair of loaf-fraction guides 6 presented forwardly over the table 0 and adjustable transversely of the machine, a pair of rear loaf-fraction guides 1 also adjustable transversely of the machine and piyotally provided with rearwardly projecting preferably axially twisted extensions 8, and a pair of loaffraction guides 9 disposed intermediate, and having connection for adjustment with, the Figure 1 and Also preferably forming part of the transfer conveyor means C, is a bridge member l0 spanning the table a, and equipped with a depending lug ll for supporting an intermediate guide I 2, best seen in Figure 2 and for purposes presently appearing.

Operatively disposed at the forward or discharge end of the table 0 .of the second or transfer conveyor means C, is the intake conveyor D of a wrapping machine W, the conveyor D having a plurality ofspaced loaf-fraction receiving pockets at and being preferably driven in predetermined timed relation to the respective series of flight-bars 3 and c, for. purposes presently fully appearing.

Formed preferably integrally with the connection-plates 5 and disposed intermediate the first conveyor means B and the second conveyor I3 presented inwardly of fiaringly opening inwardly of the machine, as best seen in Figure 4.

Also formed preferably integrally with the connection-plates 5 and disposed intermediate the first conveyor means B and second or transfer conveyor means C, are pairs of transversely spaced upwardlyv and downwardly extending parallel bracket arms l5, l6, respectively. Bolted at its opposite ends upon the lower bracket arms l6 and extending transversely of the machine beneath the slotted flanges l 3, is a cross-frame l1 centrally enlarged, as at l8, .and vertically bored, as at I 9, the frame 1 !1 being counter-bored on its under face inthe diametrally enlarged recess 20, all as best seen in Figure 4 and for purposes presently fully appearing.

Journaled in and extending through the side horizontally beneath the' conveyor table 2, is a transverse drive-shaft 21 provided on its one extended end with a pair of axially spaced free-running sprockets 22, 23, respectively connected by drive chains 24, 25, to driving sprockets 26, 21, pinned, keyed, or otherwise fixed upon the extended end of a drive-shaft 28 of the flight-bars c. Shiftably keyed upon the drive-shaft 2| intermediate the free-running sprockets 22', 23, is a conventional pin clutch disk 29 for optional driving engagement with either of the free-running sprockets 22, 23. It may be pointed out in this connection that the sprockets 22, 23, have driving ratios of 1-1 and 2-1, respectively, to the sprockets 26, 21, with which they are connected, so that, by shifting the pin clutch member 29, the spaced flight-bars c of the second conveyor means C may be selectively driven at either the same speed or twice the speed of the flight-bars 3 of the first'conveyor means B for feeding the fractions to one or more wrapping machines, as presently appearing;

Units other extended end, the drive-shaft 21 is provided with a pinion 39'meshingwith a large driving gear-3l pinned or-otherwise; fixed upon the extended end of a transverse camshaftjjjournaled in the bracket-arms l6 and extending horizontallyof the machine preferably directlyunder the,cross frame l1. 7

On-anextended-end and disposed outwardly of--the. driving gear 3|, thecam-shaft 324s provided witna free-running sprocket 33-: and a shiftable conventional pinclutch member 34-for disengageably connecting. the sprocket- 33 for rotation' -with..-the, cam-shaft 32, the sprocket 33 the upper face of the bight of the bifurcation or yoke member 50, all as best seen in Figure 4 and for purposes presently fully appearing.

In use and operation, the sliced loaves L are progressed forwardly by the flight-bars 3 of the first conveyor means B and successively deposited upon the horizontally disposed split plate 44 between the guides 48, and it may be here stated,

that the cam 52 is so shaped and timed with respect to the movement of the flight-bars 3 that, in the interval during which a loaf L is being discharged by the flight-bar 3, the split plate 44 is in horizontal position, as indicated in dot-dash lines in Figure 4. In the next interval, the cam 52 shifts the cam roller 5| and the associated actuating rod 49' sharply upwardly, obliquely hinging the split plate 44 and breaking or dividing the deposited loaf L along a selected slicecut into two fractions Z, 1, as shown in Figure 4. Meanwhile, the auxiliary shaft 31 is rotated in timed relation with the movementcof the cam -52, so that .the one pusher bar. 42- is. brought-into engagement with the tilted loaf fraction Z, which latter is thereby shifted forwardly off 'ofthe split plate section lfifand smoothly andevenly, onto the table 0 of the transfer conveyor means. C, where such fractionjispicked up and. progressed forwardly over, thejtable c by a bar 0' in. substantially. the manner des'cribed in said,co.-pending application Serial No. 280,397. Subsequently, the

other rotarypusher bar 43 moves into engagebeing; drivinglyconnected through a-- sprocket chain 35lto,a.sprocket 36 fixed upon an extended end'of an. auxiliary. shaft3l. journaled in, and extending transversely of. the machine between, the upper, bracket arms l5.

Pinned in axially, spaced relationupon the auxiliary shaft 31 intermediate the upper bracket arms l5; are two pairs of spaced hub-members 38, 39, provided preferably integrally with radial- 1y outwardly, presented curvedarms 49, 4|, in,v

turn, provided alsojpreferably integrally, at their other extremities with horizontally disposed pusher-bars 42', 43, the pairs-,of'hub,.-members 38, 39,

being preferably 50 relatively fixed on the shaft 31 thatthe pusher-bars 42, 43,,are disposed on diametrically, opposite sides ofthe auxiliary shaft 31, all as best seen in Figures 2 and 41' and for purposes presently fully appearing.

Loosely mounted for movement. at its, opposite side rnargins inthe flange-slots l4. andextende ing transversely of the machine between the connection-plates 5. in thespace between the first conveyor. means. B. and. the transfer. or, second conveyor means C, is a split plate-4,4 centrallyhingedas at 45, and the .two fiat sections 46, 41,

thereof being suitably adjustably equipped with opposed-preferably L-shaped loaLguides-GB; all

asbest seenm Figures lfandri and for purposes presently fully, appearing.

' Pivotally connectedat.v its upper/ end to the hinge 45*of the'split plate 44j'and disposed for,

endwise movement in the bore, l9 of the cross frame, is an actuating rod 49 providedat its lower end with an enlarged downwardly presented bifurcation or-yok member .5'flhaving a follower.- roller 5| engaging a cam 52 pinnedor otherwise fixed 'upon the shaft 32, the actuating rod 49 being: normally yieldingl-y'ur'gecl downwardly for engagement between the roller 5| and cam, 52 by means of a compression spring 53 coiled on the rod 49Jand. impinging at one endagainst the, bottom wallof the recess 29 and'at its other end by the next succeeding flight-bar c.

As'the pusher bar 43 completes its-fractionadvancing movement, the, cam 52 has been, so rotatively actuated that the roller 51 .andlassociated bar 49 move downwardly under theinfiuence of thespring 53 and return the split plate 44 to'its initial horizontal position for receiving the nextsucceeding sliced loaf L, it being, of

course, understood that .the, described loaf :subdividing for fractionating, operations are timed to take place and be completed within the length of time, required for the first conveyor bars 3 to advance the next succeeding sliced loaf L for dischargeuponthe split plate.

In themechanism of Ffigures/l to 4, both inclusive, the successively deposited loaf-fractions Z, l, as they are progressed by the bars c. over,

the table c, are directed by means of, the guides 6; 1, into'a singleseries for discharge in succession upon the conveyor D for delivery, in. turn toLthev wrapping machine, W; However, in the event it is desired to feed the two,,loaf-fr'actions.. of the several sub-divided loaves L along separatepaths into separate wrapping machines, a transfer. conveyor means C may be provided of the type more fully disclosed and described in an application Serial No. 242,432, filed November 25,,1938,.by

Gustav C. Papendick, and arrangedfor'discharging loaf-fractions, respectively, into, the intake conveyor-D of one wrapping machine and across V a dead plate as into another. intakef conveyor D' of the second wrapping machine,.aspbest seen-in Figure 5'. In such case, the auxiliary shaft 31 is provided merely with a single pair of axially spaced hub-members. 38! supporting a, single? pusherbar 42 extending substantially, across the. I entire width of the table 0' forsimultaneouslydischarging uponthectable c'bOth of the loaffractions Z, Z',/of the respective loaves L, as best v seen inFigure 5;

The mechanism' is relativelysimple in strucmediate said conveyor means for successively ture, may be economically operated and mainreceiving thereupon a sliced loaf from the first tained, and eficiently, speedily, smoothly, and conveyor means and subdividing the same into without injury to even the most freshly baked fractions, and means for successively transferring loaf, subdivides the several successive sliced loaves o the loaf-fractions of said loaf from said plate into fractions for separate wrapping. sections to the second conveyor means.

It should be understood that changes and modi- 7. Sliced bread loaf handling mechanism comfications in the form, construction, arrangement, prising, in combination, first conveyor means,

and combinations of the several parts of the second conveyor means spaced forwardly from mechanism may be made and substituted for and in longitudinal alignment with the first conthose herein shown and described without deveyor means, means including a pair of plateparting from the nature and principle of my insections hingedly connected along a line parallel vention. to a selected slice-cut and intermediate the ends Having thus described my invention, what I of the loaves and being disposed intermediate claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent-isz lo said conveyor means for successively receiving 1. Sliced bread loaf handling mechanism comthereupon a sliced loaf from the first conveyor prising, in combination, first conveyor means; means and sub-dividing the same into fractions, second conveyor means spaced forwardly from and pusher arms journaled for rotation over the and in longitudinal alignment withthe first conplate-sections for successively transferring the veyor means, a dead plate disposed intermediate loaf-fractions of said loaf from said plate-secsaid conveyor means for successively receiving the tions to the second conveyor means.

sliced loaves from the first conveyor means, and 8. Sliced bread loaf handling mechanism com- Y means including pusher arms axially rotatable prising, in Combination, fi st nveyo m a over the plate in timed relation with movement second conveyor means spaced forwardly from of the second conveyor means for transferring the and in longitudinal alignment with the first conloaves from said plate to, and for movement by, veyor means, means including a pair of platethe second conveyor means. sections hingedly connected along a line parallel 2. Sliced bread loaf fractionating mechanism to a selected slice-cut and intermediate the ends comprising means including a plate for subdividof the loaves and being operatively-disposed ing a sliced bread loaf into fractions, and a pluintermediate said conveyor means for successively rality of pusher arms journaled for rotation over receiving the sliced loaves from the first conthe plate for successively shifting the several veyor means and subdividing the same into fracfractions from said plate. tions, and rotary means for transferring the loaf- 3. Sliced bread loaf fractionating mechanism fractions from said plate sections to the second including a plurality of marginally abutting fiat 5 conveyor means.

plates normally disposed in the same plane for 9. Sliced bread loaf handling mechanism comreceiving a whole sliced loaf, said lines of abutpri in in c mbination, fir t c nv r me ment between the plates being substantially 00- s cond con ey mea s p ed forwardly from incident with a selected slice-cut when the sliced and in longitudinal alignment with the first conloaf is resting on the plates, and means for disveyor means, m a including a P Of p placing certain of said plates to different planes sections hingedly connected along a line parallel which are disposed obliquely to each other for disto a selected slice-cut and intermediate the ends placing groups of loaf slices with respect to other of the loaves and being operatively disposed intergroups of loaf slices for subdividing the loaf into media e sa d onveyor e s for successively a plurality of fractions, ceiving the sliced loaves from the first conveyor 4. Sliced bread loaf fractionating mechanism means and subdividing the same into fractions, including a plurality of marginally adjacent flat and a pair of staggered rotary pushers for alterplates normally disposed in the same plane for nately transferring the loaf-fractions from the receiving a whole sliced loaf, means for tilting pl ec i s o th s ond onv y r meanscertain of said plates into oblique planes 10. Sliced bread loaf fractionating mechanism lative to each other for displacing groups of loaf comprising a frame, a pair of plates hingedly slices with respect to other groups of loaf slices connected along a line parallel to a selected slicefor subdividing the loaf into a plurality of fraccut and intermediate the ends of the loaves and tions, and means for shifting the several fracbeing no al y disposed on the frame in the same tions from the plates when the latter are in clisplan for r vin a l e l f, and m ns movplaced ositi n, able on and relatively .to the frame for displac- 5. Sliced bread loaf fractionating mechanism n i pl es t di f n o iq p ane f r including a plurality of marginally adjacent fiat o p nd y subdividing e lea in o fracplates normally disposed in the same plane for t ons.

receiving a whole sliced loaf, means for tilting S c d ea af a t onat n mechacertain of said plates into oblique planes relative n sm Comprising a frame, a pair of shiftable to each other for displacing groups of loaf slices plates normally marginally c t and diS- with respect to other groups of loaf slices for subp s n th fr m n the e p n f r e ivdividing the loaf into a plurality of fractions, m a m l f, s d adj n m r ins b in and means for successively shifting the several parallel to a selected slice-cut and intermediate fractions from the plates when the latter are in e ends of the loaf, means movable on and displaced position. relatively to the frame for displacing said plates 6. sliced bread loaf handling mecha is comto different oblique planes for subdividing the loaf prising, in combination, first conveyor means, I into fractions, and means associated with the second conveyor means spaced forwardly from and in longitudinal alignment with the first conthe loaf-fractions longitudinally of the plates veyor means, means including a pair of plate secduring plate-displacing movement. tions hingedly connected along a line parallel to 12. Sliced bread loaf fractionating mechanism a selected slice-cut and intermediate the ends of comprising a frame, a pair of fiat plates hingedly the loaves and being operatively disposed interconnected along a line parallel to a selected slicecut and intermediate the ends ofthe loavesand: being normally disposed 'yieldingly ion-the frame" in the same plane for receiving a sliced loaf; and cam-means movable onand relativelytvtoithe frame for hingedly shifting said plates intodifierent oblique ,planes for subdividing the loaf into fractions. 7

13'. Sliced bread loaf fractionating. mechanism including a frame, a pair of plates hingedlyyconne'cted'along a line parallel to a selectedsli'ce-cut and'intermediate the ends ofthe loaves andbe ing normally disposed on the framein the same plane, means movable relatively to the-frame" and {plates for depositing; a sliced-loaf upon.

saidiplates and across the hinge line'therebe tween; means for hingedlyishifting said plates :to

different obliqueplanes for subdividingwthe' loaf into fractions, a table on theframe, and means 1 for shifting the several loafrfractions successively from said plates to the table."

. 14. Sliced bread loaf handling mechanism" .comprising; in' combination," first conveyor means,

second conveyor.meansaspacedi. forwardly from and rin:longitudinal alignment with: the first: 0011'- veyor means; supporting means'zdisposed inter;

mediate said conveyorrmeansa'forsuccessively receiving a sliced;v loaf: fromatherfirst conveyor. means, means;.cooperativelysrelatedqwitlfthe'sup;

porting: means for: subi-dividingg'the: slicediiloaf into separate fractions; means for? successively transferring" the iractions oi saidx'loaf: from-zsaid i supporting ,means-to the second conveyorimeans; and guides associatediwith' the secondconveyor means for shiftingthe-transferred :fractions into' consecutive alignment. V

' 15; Sliced bread loaf :fractionating: mechanism including a dead. plate for receiving :a: sliced loaf 1 and supporting; the :samefiin': stationaryposition, and, "a: 'pusher arm cjourna-lle'd '-f or rotation over 7 the plate and--includingf a member rotatable into the path'of thczloaf for shifting only: aafractional portioniof the loaf fromithexplate. 3

' WALTER 'A; 

